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UT CC 301 - Athenian Drinking Culture

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CC 301 1st Edition Lecture 15 Outline of Last Lecture I. Discussion of Parthenon and other structures and statues alongside an Athenian need for control. Outline of Current Lecture II. Greek SymposiumIII. Plato’s SymposiumIV. LocationV. RulesCurrent LectureGreek SymposiumThe Greek symposium was a male aristocratic activity, a tightly choreographed social gathering where men drank together, conversed, and enjoyed themselves in a convivial atmosphere. Bedecked in garlands, participants reclined—one or two to a couch—in a room designed to hold seven to fifteen couches with cushions and low tables (21.88.74). Many suchrooms have been identified archaeologically in domestic settings, although the best representation is perhaps the painted Tomb of the Diver at Paestum.By the late sixth century B.C., there was an established repertoire of symposium vessels that included wine coolers, jugs, various drinking cups, and mixing vessels, many of which were decorated with scenes of drinking parties or of Dionysos and his followers (31.11.11). Water was mixed with wine in a large central krater to a strength determined by the symposiarch (master of ceremonies). The mixture, usually three or four parts water to one part wine, was served by slaveboys who filled pitchers from the krater and poured the drink into each participant's cup (1993.11.5).Plato’s SymposiumThe men conversed, often about specific topics, as in Plato's Symposium, and some recited poetryor played music. Jokes, gossip, and games of skill and balance enlivened the evening, as did professional musicians (24.97.28), dancers, and courtesans. The well-conducted symposium was a center for the transmission of traditional values, as well as an event that provided liberation from everyday restraints within a carefully regulated environment.These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.A key Hellenic social institution. It was a forum for men of good family to debate, plot, boast, or simply to revel with others. They were frequently held to celebrate the introduction of young men into aristocratic society. Symposia were also held by aristocrats to celebrate other special occasions, such as victories in athletic and poetic contests. They were a source of pride for them.LocationSymposia were usually held in the andrōn ( νδρών), the men's quarters of the household. The ἀparticipants, or "symposiasts", would recline on pillowed couches arrayed against the three walls of the room away from the door. Due to space limitations the couches would number between seven and nine, limiting the total number of participants to somewhere between fourteen and twenty seven[2] (Oswyn Murray gives a figure of between seven and fifteen couches and reckons fourteen to thirty participants a "standard size for a drinking group").[3] If any young men took part they did not recline but sat up.[4] However, in Macedonian symposia the focus was not only on drinking but hunting, and young men were allowed to recline only after they had killed their first wild boar.Food and wine were served. Entertainment was provided, and depending on the occasion could include games, songs, flute-girls or boys, slaves performing various acts, and hired entertainment.Symposia often were held for specific occasions. The most famous symposium of all, described in Plato's dialogue of that name (and rather differently in Xenophon's) was hosted by the poet Agathon on the occasion of his first victory at the theater contest of the 416 BCDionysia. According to Plato's account, the celebration was upstaged by the unexpected entrance of the toast of the town, the youngAlcibiades, dropping in drunken and nearly naked, having just left another symposium.The men apart of the symposium would discuss a multitude of topics—from philosophy to love and the differences between genders.RulesThere were strict rules to which participants were required to adhere. The enforcement of these rules was in the hands of the symposiarch, or master of drinking. The ideal symposiarch according to Plutarch, had to be the “quintessence of conviviality,” neither inclined to drunkenness nor averse to drinking,. He had to be aware how each of his fellow symposiasts wasaffected by wine in order to determine what was conductive to the promotion of good cheer. He should be cordial and friendly, and objectionable to no one…Election to this office was made by a throw of dice, which meant it generally fell to one of the guests. The symposiarch had the authority to inflict a penalty in any drinker who infringed on the rules. In exceptional circumstances he could even order a guest to depart. As the Greeks did not drink undiluted wine,his inuagural duty was to determine the proportion of parts of wine to water – an important decision that would affect the tone of the whole evening. In addition, he decreed how many cups should be drunk, since only on rare occasions symposiasts permitted to drink as much or as little as they wished. The purpose behind this rule was to ensure that everyone attained approximately the same degree of inebriation. Finally the symposiarch arranged the entertainment and fixed penalties for those who failed to distinguish themselves in the games and competitions.Basic drinking equipment included a dozen or so kylikes or drinking mugs, a krater or mixing bowl, a psychter or wine cooler. An oinochoe or jug for pouring wine and a hydria or jug for pouring water. The pottery was frequently decorated with figured scenes, often of a very refined draughtmanship. These scenes provide a major source of information about conduct at these


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